Cure: A Journey Into the Science of Mind over Body

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The field of mind-body medicine is plagued by wild claims that mislead patients and instil false hope. But as scientists in a range of fields uncover solid evidence that our minds influence our bodies far more profoundly than previously thought, there is now great promise too. In her eye-opening new book, Jo Marchant delves deep into the latest scientific research and asks: - Are those who turn to alternative medicine deluded, or are they on to something? - Can our thoughts, beliefs and emotions influence our physical health? - Can we train our brains to heal our bodies? CURE takes us on a remarkable journey and offers a new and thought-provoking view of what it means to be human.

About the Author :
Dr Jo Marchant is an award-winning science journalist based in London. She has a PhD in Genetics and Medical Microbiology from St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College in London, and an MSc in Science Communication (with a dissertation in evidence-based medicine) from Imperial College London. She has worked as an editor at New Scientist and at Nature and her articles have appeared in publications including The Guardian, Wired UK, The Observer Review, New Scientist and in Nature. Her radio and TV appearances include BBC Radio 4's Start the Week and Today programmes, CNN and National Geographic. She has lectured around the world. Her book Decoding the Heavens was shortlisted for the 2009 Royal Society Prize for Science Books.

Review :
Should be compulsory reading for all young doctors Writing with simplicity, clarity and style, and covering an enormous range of material, [Marchant] surveys with grace what we think we know, and what we would like to know, about the mysterious and troubling relationship between our minds and our bodies A well-researched page-turner . . . may very well lead to widespread changes in the ways we practice medicine A diligent and useful work that makes the case for 'holistic' medicine while warning against the snake-oil salesmen who have annexed that word for profit A rewarding read that seeks to separate the wishful and emotion-driven from the scientifically tested This is popular science writing at its very best . . . I would recommend this book to anybody who has a mind and a body A revved-up, research-packed explication of the use of mind in medicine, from meditation to guided visualisation. Marchant's nimble reportage on the work of scientists in novel fields such as psychoneuroimmunology and her discussion of placebos are as fresh as her reminders of how stress and poverty affect wellbeing are timely Marchant is a skeptical, evidence-based reporter - one with a background in microbiology, no less - which makes for a fascinating juxtaposition against some of the alternative treatments she discusses This is an important book, and one that will challenge those dismissive of efforts to investigate how our thoughts, emotions and beliefs might directly influence our physical wellbeing . . . intriguing and trailblazing A powerful and critically needed conceptual bridge for those who are frustrated with pseudoscientific explanations of alternative therapies but intrigued by the mind's potential power to both cause and treat chronic, stress-related conditions Cure represents a journey in the best sense of the word: a vivid, compassionate, generous exploration of the role of the human mind in both health and illness